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Ex-Leafs GM gives Brad Treliving credit for the moves he's made in free agency

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Dean Chaudhry
July 4, 2024 (11:19)

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Toronto Maple Leafs' General Manager Brad Treliving addressing the media.

Photo credit: Dan Hamilton - USA Today Sports

Former Leafs' GM Brian Burke had nothing but complimentary things to say about Brad Treliving's start to free agency after finally shoring up the blueline.

Burke joined Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill on their "Leafs Morning Take" podcast on Wednesday and discussed many topics, including the Toronto Maple Leafs' start to free agency and more specifically the job that Treliving has done so far:

"Well, I don't think he won free agency. I think people will think Nashville did, but I think [Treliving] certainly improved his team and he did a good job in areas where they really needed help. They needed to shore up their D and they did. I'm a big T.J. Brodie fan as you all know I had him in Calgary, he's underrated and he'll be missed but I'm really a huge fan of all the defensemen they brought in, really - especially Tanev.

I think he's an elite shutdown defender, I think they'll get 4 years out of him, and I get the whole contract but they'll get 4 years out of him at a top level, his leadership, he's a proven winner... I like the moves..."

Burke finished off by stating that Treliving has done a stand-up job in Toronto so far and that he's improved quite a bit from his earlier days as a general manager in Calgary - albeit admitting that he didn't make too many mistakes to begin with:

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"I think Tre is a sharp guy, I think he's a smart guy, I think he's learned from all the mistakes he's made - which is not many - but I think he's getting better at the job and not worse and that's very common with people on their second job, they often excel more than their first time through and it's like that to me with him."

Nashville certainly had a great day, perhaps even a surprising free agency considering not many had them pegged as being an aggressive club heading into the summer frenzy. They came out with Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei on long-term deals. However, Toronto was just as busy as they signed Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa on defense and goaltender Anthony Stolarz to back-up Joseph Woll.

The Leafs clearly believed they needed to shore up their back-end as they focused solely on defensemen on Day 1 of free agency.

While their offensive game will once again be run by the Core 4, they certainly need to address their depth moving forward either through free agency or more likely on the trade market.

Source: TLN's Leafs Morning TakeLeafs Morning Take - full Brian Burke interview

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Brian Burke reveals who the Maple Leafs need to move; it's not Mitch Marner

Leafs draft pick makes shocking decision to come to North America immediately

Ex-Leafs defenseman heading to Europe after being unable to secure an NHL deal

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